At what point is the premium for toning out of control?

I love nice toned coins, and am generally willing to pay somewhat of a premium for them (like white blazers also, but toned coins can be gorgeous). Just perusing the listings on Toned Morgans for fun on Ebay. Now, tell me this one isn't totally out of control? I sure hope that somebody doesn't pay that kind of money for this ultra common date MS:http://www.ebay.com/itm/1881-S-PCGS...Individual&hash=item48459123ce#ht_2344wt_1180

 

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Mdude, have you ever checked out http://www.cointalk.com/t135678/ ?

It was initiated by Lehigh96 several years ago to investigate this very topic, i.e., the various kinds of toning and the premiums they might demand. The thread is on its last gasp these days but was very informative in its early days.

A skim through, particularly the opening pages, might give you a lot of pertinent info.

 

Yes, I read it, and respect him tremendously as a master collector. I still wanted to point out that some asking prices on toned coins are so far out of control, that reality is totally absent. This coin that I posted is marked up approximately 15x what a nice untoned specimen of that date would go for.

 

When it comes to toning no telling what someone might bid. There are some good experts around here on toning. I am not one of them. I can see where some toning deserves a premium - but not all of them and not the premium they bring. That is a humble opinion on toning only from a non expert.

 

You mean 10-12x, don't you? I checked out the Morgan; it's a very attractive toner and might reel in the right buyer. As mark just said, no telling what someone might bid.

As Lehigh and others had established on the TP thread, a lower-grade coin is going to command a much higher premium, relative to its blast white value, than a high-grade (say a 66 or 67) coin.

 

I see you edited to 15x, which is what I was going to suggest!

I will add that I was one of the skeptics when I first began to follow that thread; just couldn't believe how such premiums could be justified. But there's a market for them and people will pay what they will. As that thread suggests, some toning is quite rare.

BTW, this one has already turned to charcoal on the reverse, which I would think is going to turn some collectors off.

 

I won't pay a premium for toning, I consider it a bonus if a coin is toned though.

 

I will note that it sure in fun watching a couple of guys take a nicely rain-bowed Rosie up to over 10X of price guide. Glad I didn't make the mistake of listing it as a BIN at guide like I do most coins.
Simple fact is that some coins really speak to people and they will go for them at what ever level it takes, myself I'm not into paying those kind of prices and usually drop out at around 2x of guide.

BTW the linked coin would not be one I would want to go for...Too common in the date mint and grade and color is only SO SO on the reverse IMO.

 

Folks have been saying it's out of control for many years.
Yet, we keep paying the price for cool looking color.

 

Yes, that was a typo--I have carpal tunnel syndrome. I meant to say 10-15x of normal coin value. I have a DMPL in that date that is worth about $200 and it is a nice 64. So, to me that is a good point of reference.

 

Just won for a hefty premium......http://www.ebay.com/itm/32092336889...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649#ht_5536wt_1399

 

I figured that's what you meant. And I feel your pain regarding cts; don't have it but have tennis elbow in both arms, among other less-than-desirable ailments in various joints.

 

There are not bids on it yet, so there is still hope for sanity.

 

40 dollar coin--. 4x premium.

 

Oh, I agree Doug. It is a deep sea fishing expedition. However, so many auctions on all the sites are like that with toners recently. I saw one Teletrade where the coin was over 10x of book, and someone bought it. As I said before, I, myself love toned coins as well as bright white ones. However, I won't pay a premium for dates that we used to call "kid's dates--" the common Morgans like 1881s, 1885o, 1888, that were affordable even in MS for young collectors. Shame is that young newbies are totally priced out of the toner market, unless they get lucky. I feel for them.